Thought processes and conversations started under the tilted cap of Tropicana Field. Someday everyone will know the Rays play in St. Petersburg, Florida, not TAMPA, or the fictitious city of TAMPA BAY.

Rays Designate Guzman, Add 2 to 40-Man Roster

The Rays have just added the following players to their 40 man MLB roster, and have designated INF Joel Guzman for assignment.

Set career-highs in games, at-bats, home runs, runs batted in, walks and strikeouts and matched his best in triples.

Made his only career trip to the disabled list with a torn labrum in his left hip, missing only the first 20 games of the season.

His 15-game hitting streak from April 28-May 15 was Oakland’s longest on the season and his career-best.

Became the first player in Oakland history with at least four runs, four hits, four RBI, two home runs and two walks in one game on 5/10 at Kansas City.

Was named the American League Co-Player of the Week for May 7-13, sharing the honor with teammate Jack Cust.

Ranked second in the American League in pitches taken (64.5 percent).

Committed four errors in his first 59 games at first base and then went on to finish the season on a 38-game errorless streak. Ended with a .996 fielding percentage, a career-best.

Singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning on 8/31 against Detroit, his second walk-off plate appearance of the season.

Had his second two-homer game of the season on 9/15 against Texas, the third of his career. He also matched an earlier 2007 performance with four RBI, a career-best.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Started 2006 as the A’s first baseman, tying a team record by starting the year 0-for-27.

Made his major league debut in 2005, ranking second among AL rookies in on-base percentage (.355), tied for second in walks, third in slugging percentage (.451), tied for third in home runs and fifth in batting and RBI.

Named the Most Valuable Player of the Pacific Coast League in 2004.

Named to the Texas League’s Postseason All-Star Team in 2003 after finishing third in all of Minor League Baseball with 114 RBI.

Finished third in the A’s farm system in home runs, fourth in RBI and eighth in batting with Single-A Modesto in 2002.

Earned consecutive player of the week honors for the weeks of July 23-29 and July 30-August 5 in his first professional season with Low-A Vancouver in 2001.

PERSONAL/MISC

Originally drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the seventh round of the 2001 Draft.

Was a Second-Team All-America selection by Baseball America as a senior at the University of Nebraska in 2001, batting .361 with 25 home runs and 86 RBI.

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